The Mets rookie is getting his chance in right field.
Carson Benge made the Mets’ Opening Day roster, Carlos Mendoza told reporters after an intrasquad scrimmage on Monday afternoon in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
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Benge entered camp with an opportunity to make the major league team, but it was far from a foregone conclusion as the 23-year-old had just 24 games experience in Triple A.
“Joy over everything, I’d say,” Benge told reporters of making the team. “Just knowing that I worked hard for it, and countless hours I spent and all of my family members and friends that have sacrificed some time for me. Knowing that it’s all going to come true, my dream since I was little, is pretty cool.”
The No. 16 prospect in Major League Baseball earned his spot, going 15-for-41 (.366) with two extra-base hits, five RBI, five runs and nine strikeouts in 14 Grapefruit League games.
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 13, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 13, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 16, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets Photo Day at Clover Park on February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Feb 13, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) looks on during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 13, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) walks on the field during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 13, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (center) speaks to infielder Marcus Semien (left) and third base coach Tim Leiper (right) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 19, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 21, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) looks on against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 21, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) throws to first base but cannot retire Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) plays his position against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) runs onto the field before the game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) throws a baseball into the stands against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets Photo Day at Clover Park on February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Feb 11, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) warms-up during spring practice. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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Feb 11, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) warms-up during spring practice. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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The New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta throws during spring training on the back fields of Clover Park on Feb. 11, 2026, in Port St. Lucie.
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) warms up against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Marcus Semien #10 of the New York Mets looks on during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 16, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Marcus Semien #10 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets Photo Day at Clover Park on February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Marcus Semien (10) walks on the field during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) tosses a baseball into the stands against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Mar 3, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) throws to first to retire Nicaragua right fielder Ismael Munguia (not pictured) during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Christian Arroyo (28) throws to first base to retire St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages (not pictured) during the third inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Feb 25, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets second baseman Christian Arroyo (28) stretches out his legs befor the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 22: Luis Torrens #13 of the New York Mets helps up teammate Christian Arroyo #28 after Arroyo made a sliding grab during the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images)
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Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Christian Arroyo (21) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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Feb 19, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Christian Arroyo (28) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Throughout camp, Benge showcased his knack for being a tough at-bat and a strong two-strike approach. He also proved his athleticism and showed off his big arm while spending the majority of his time in right field.
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“I always had a certain amount of confidence in myself, being able to compete with whoever it may be that I’m going up against,” Benge said. “I feel like I always had a good amount of confidence in myself.”
Benge’s path to the big leagues was a little easier after Mike Tauchman, one the Mets’ chief competitors for the right field spot, suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee on Saturday. The club had sent down MJ Melendez to the minor leagues last week.
New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (93) makes a diving catch to retire St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nelson Velázquez (not pictured) during the second inning on Feb. 27, 2026, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
After being selected by the Mets as a two-way player out of Oklahoma State with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Benge has rocketed through the system. The left-handed hitting outfielder quickly dropped pitching before entering the minor leagues and debuted in Single A St. Lucie in August 2024.
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Benge began last season in High-A Brooklyn where he logged an .897 OPS in 60 games. He tormented Double-A pitching in Binghamton, as well, slashing .317/.407/.571 with eight home runs, 23 RBI and 28 runs in 32 games before spending his final 24 games in Triple-A Syracuse.
Now, with an electric spring, Mendoza was able to relay the news that Benge had earned his spot in Flushing.
“A kid that gets drafted in 2024 and two years later, here we are, giving him the news that he’s going to be playing in the big leagues for us,” Mendoza said. “Credit to Kris Gross, our scouting director, player development and everyone in the organization that had a hand on this guy. He earned it. He had a hell of a camp, and we are all excited to watch this kid play.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Carson Benge makes NY Mets roster for Opening Day 2026